What to do if you are in an accident with an electric scooter
Miscellaneous / / April 28, 2023
Instructions for pedestrians and drivers.
In 2022, the services of kicksharing, or renting electric scooters, in Russia took advantage 15.5 million customers who made 103.5 million trips. By 2025, according to experts, the number of customers will double and the number of trips will triple. At the same time, the number of accidents is also growing. January to September of the same year happened 838 accidents with electric scooters and other means of personal mobility - this is 2 times more than a year earlier. Nearly three-quarters of accidents involve a pedestrian.
At the same time, experts considerthat statistics do not reflect the real situation, since many cases are simply not recorded. Often the collision occurs so suddenly and quickly that while the victim comes to his senses, the culprit has time to leave.
What rules should electric scooter drivers obey, how to protect themselves from an accident and what to do if it does happen - we understand this material.
What is written about scooters in the traffic rules
By law, electric scooters are classified as personal mobility aids (SIMs). According to the innovations in the traffic rules, which entered into force in March 2023, the status of a SIM driver is no longer equal to the status of a pedestrian, and the electric scooter itself is considered a transport. On him Can ride:
- In lanes reserved for bicycles. However, cyclists still have an advantage.
- On sidewalks and pedestrian areas, but only if the SIM is not heavier than 35 kg.
- On the right side or side of the carriageway, where it is allowed to keep a speed of no more than 60 km / h. At the same time, the driver of the electric scooter is obliged to obey the signals of the traffic light and the traffic controller, as well as focus on road signs for SIM.
The electric scooter is prohibited from driving on motorways where cycling is not allowed, and it is forbidden to move along pedestrian zones and sidewalks if the SIM weighs more than 35 kg.
According to the traffic rules, a person who drives an electric scooter is obliged to keep a speed of no more than 25 km / h, as well as give way to pedestrians and let them through.
What to do in case of an accident with an electric scooter
If you are a pedestrian
First of all, make sure that nothing threatens your health. If the injuries are minor, try to immediately document the incident as detailed as possible, and then get an injury report from the hospital. If the damage is serious, first of all call the ambulance at number 103 and only then collect information about what happened.
Dmitry Bezdelin
Leading lawyer of the European Legal Service.
In the event of an accident, I recommend that you record what happened with the help of a photo or video, save the phone numbers of eyewitnesses and report the incident to file an accident at 112.
If it is established that harm to life and health was caused as a result of violations of traffic rules, the pedestrian has the right to file a claim for compensation for moral damage on the basis of article 151 Civil Code. The amount of compensation is established by agreement of the parties. If an agreement is not reached, it is necessary to go to court.
In addition, according to the lawyer, if property is damaged as a result of a collision, for example, clothes are torn or the smartphone crashed, the victim has the right to demand that the culprit recover the damage caused to basis articles 15 and 1064 Civil Code of the Russian Federation. To do this, you will need to submit to the court documents confirming the right of ownership, as well as the amount of damage, for example, an expert opinion.
In a situation where the culprit fled the scene of an accident, you can try to find him using CCTV cameras. If they are urban, then in order to get a record, you must contact the city administration or the police. If the cameras are private - for example, they are installed in a closed area or belong to a business center, you will have to talk with security or the owner.
If you are a scooter driver
First, make sure that neither you nor the others involved in the accident have serious injuries. If they are, immediately call an ambulance, and while the doctors are on their way, if possible, provide first aid to those who need it. If no one is hurt, try to resolve the conflict.
Never leave the scene of an accident. First, it will endanger the health of the victims. Secondly, if the electric scooter is rented, all trips on it are tracked, and data on who controls it, upon request transmitted to the police. Thirdly, if the victim goes to court, leaving the scene of an accident may be considered an aggravating circumstance.
How to protect yourself from an accident with an electric scooter
If you are a pedestrian - unfortunately, in most cases, no way. The only advice that give experts, be extremely careful.
If you are driving an electric scooter, follow these important rules:
- Do not drive under the influence of alcohol. This not only endangers the safety of others, but is also an aggravating circumstance in an accident.
- Wear a safety helmet.
- Check that the SIM has headlights, brakes, and a bell or horn to alert passers-by.
- Do not cross the road on an electric scooter. You need to dismount and roll it next to or carry it across the road.
- Don't take passengers. This will adversely affect the maneuverability and handling of the scooter.
- Do not carry loads that protrude beyond the SIM by 50 cm or more.
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